Exploring the Tranquil Ancient Temple - Taiyin Temple in Jiang County

🌿 Exploring the Tranquil Ancient Temple - Taiyin Temple in Jiang County 🌿 🌄 Hidden in a corner of Jiang County, Shanxi Province, Taiyin Temple may not be well-known, but it holds national treasure-level secrets. Here, not only is there a long history, but also breathtaking wood carving art. 🏯 🕗 Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 💸 Admission: Free 📍 Address: Zhangshang Village, Weizhuang Town, Jiang County, Shanxi Province 🏛️ Honor: Fifth batch of national protected units 🌟 Highlights: Single wood-carved reclining Buddha, Taiyin Temple stele 📜 Taiyin Temple, also known as the Reclining Buddha Temple, was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and has undergone expansions and renovations during the Tang, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The main hall here is a relic from the Jin Dynasty, while other buildings are newly constructed in recent years. 🏺 The plaque inside the main hall, titled "Hall of Great Hero," has a unique writing style that is rare nationwide. The main hall is spacious, cleverly using the "reduced column method," making the space appear particularly open, supported only by four golden pillars behind the reclining Buddha. 🌈 The most dazzling treasure in the main hall is undoubtedly the largest single wood-carved reclining Buddha in the country. The reclining statue of Shakyamuni in Nirvana is 4 meters long, with a golden body shining brightly and flowing robes. Every detail of the Buddha statue is vividly lifelike, as if telling the Zen meaning of a thousand years. 🖼️ Inside the wooden shrine, there are also precious wooden panel murals from the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, depicting a mourning scene that makes one feel as if they have traveled through time, experiencing the sorrow and solemnity of that era. 😔 Unfortunately, the Jin Dynasty murals and colored sculptures inside the hall were stolen during the Republic of China period and lost to the Netherlands. The Buddha's head on the statue was also later repaired; although the craftsmanship is superb, it is ultimately not the original appearance. 📜 The "Stele of the Reconstruction of Taiyin Temple by the Master of the Carved Sutras" inside the temple is equally precious and closely related to the national treasure "Zhaocheng Jin Tripitaka" in the National Library. The stele records the carving and printing process of the "Zhaocheng Jin Tripitaka," which is important material for studying the Song Dynasty woodblock printed Chinese Tripitaka. 👨‍🦲 The statue of Monk Fashu beside the reclining Buddha is extremely realistic, as if a high monk is sitting on an ancient chair, waiting for visitors through the millennia. 🏞️ Taiyin Temple, a niche and mysterious place, awaits every history lover to explore. Here, every step is a journey through time, and every glance is a discovery.